Hyderabadi Egg Masala with Steamed Basmati Rice

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare Eggs & Birista (Fried Onions)

   • Make a few shallow slits on the peeled, hard-boiled eggs. In a pan, heat 1 tsp of ghee, add a pinch of turmeric and red chili powder, and gently sauté the eggs for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden. Set aside.
   • In a deep pan (kadai), heat 1.5 cups of oil over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and fry, stirring occasionally, for 12-15 minutes until they are uniformly deep golden brown and crisp. Do not burn them.
   • Remove the fried onions (birista) with a slotted spoon and spread them on a paper towel to drain excess oil and cool.
2. 2

   Create the Masala Paste

   • Take half of the cooled birista and the soaked, drained cashew nuts.
   • Transfer them to a blender jar. Add 3-4 tablespoons of water.
   • Blend to a smooth, fine paste. Set this paste aside for later.
3. 3

   Cook the Gravy Base

   • Heat the remaining 3 tbsp of ghee in a pan over medium heat. Add the whole spices: cinnamon stick, cloves, green cardamom, and bay leaf. Sauté for 30-40 seconds until fragrant.
   • Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for 1 minute until the raw aroma disappears.
   • Pour in the tomato puree. Cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the puree thickens and you see ghee separating at the edges.
   • Add the spice powders: red chili powder, turmeric powder, and coriander powder. Sauté for another minute until well combined.
4. 4

   Build the Creamy Gravy

   • Reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Add the whisked curd, stirring continuously and vigorously for 2 minutes to prevent it from splitting. Cook until the ghee starts to surface again.
   • Add the prepared onion-cashew paste and salt. Mix well and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring often, until the paste is cooked through.
   • Pour in 1.5 cups of warm water. Stir to combine everything and bring the gravy to a gentle simmer.
5. 5

   Simmer, Garnish, and Serve

   • Gently place the sautéed eggs into the simmering gravy.
   • Cover the pan and cook on low heat for 5-7 minutes, allowing the eggs to absorb the rich flavors of the masala.
   • Turn off the heat. Crush the remaining birista with your hands and sprinkle it over the curry.
   • Garnish with garam masala, chopped coriander leaves, and mint leaves. Give it a final gentle stir.
   • Let the curry rest for 5-10 minutes before serving hot with naan, roti, or steamed rice.